COVID-19, New Superintendent: Brick's Top Stories Of 2020

BRICK, NJ — The year 2020 brought illness and conflict to Brick Township. It also brought community, perseverance and new beginnings.

Even as 1,261 lives were taken by the coronavirus in Ocean County, new businesses opened, a new superintendent took over in the school district and Brick Township officials looked for ways to maintain fun even as the pandemic caused difficulties.

The community has mourned more than 180 people who have died from complications of the virus, and others who died from unrelated issues, including a murder

Patch is looking back at some of the top stories from Brick in 2020.

Brick School Board Welcomes New Superintendent

When Thomas Farrell was introduced in January as the new superintendent, the biggest challenge facing the district was the funding cuts under S2. Just days after he took over in March, the coronavirus pandemic created a different set of challenges.

Delayed Coronavirus Result Puts Grieving Brick Family In Limbo

The initial surge of coronavirus illnesses and hospitalizations — the first case was announced in Brick on March 19 (Read more: 1st Coronavirus Case Identified In Brick: Ocean County Officials) — created a multitude of challenges, including the separation of families because the threats were still rather unknown in March. It also left families with significant changes in the grieving process. For the family of Sue Cranga, delays in her coronavirus test result were added torture for a family waiting to know what they would be able to do to honor her life.

Brick Business Updates: Lidl, Royal Farms, Corrado's, NJ Swim

The coronavirus caused delays in a number of businesses that were set to open in 2020. Progress has been slow.

Brick Restaurants Get Ready For Outdoor Dining

Brick officials found ways to help the restaurant community in the midst of the pandemic.

NJ Cut Of Student Mental Health Program Amid COVID Sparks Outcry

The initial plant to remove the School-Based Youth Services program, which is in place in three Brick schools, met significant pushback.

18-Year-Old Pleads Guilty In Shooting Near Brick Memorial

An Asbury Park teenager pleaded guilty in the 2019 shooting near Brick Memorial that rocked the community and led to the police department re-establishing its Street Crimes Unit.

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